I went back, reread the article, and realized you must be speaking of Dr. Paul Maier. I think what confused me is that according to the article, no, he was not a participant in the service. However, it does say, "The [Joyful Noise] newsletter [of the Michigan-based Fellowship of Merry Christians] is endorsed by Paul L. Maier, an author, professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University and **vice president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.**

I think that still leaves your final question open, and your conclusion valid.

Decision Theology

Contributors

Wisdom for Church & State

"One Word of God is all and all are one, one doctrine is all doctrines and all are one, so that when one is lost all are eventually lost, because they all belong together and are held together by a common bond." – Dr. Martin Luther

"Nevertheless we consider it our duty to criticize, refute, oppose, contend against, and reprove whatever error becomes manifest in the teaching of those who wish to be our brethren, whether this error pertains to a fundamental or a non-fundamental teaching of the Word of God……" -– C. F. W. Walther

"Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." –- George Washington

"Politics and morality are inseparable. And as morality’’s foundation is religion, religion and politics are necessarily related. We need religion as a guide. We need it because we are imperfect, and our government needs the church, because only those humble enough to admit they’’re sinners can bring to democracy the tolerance it requires in order to survive." —— Ronald Reagan

"Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born." -- Ronald Reagan